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ADDRESS 

-BY— 

Jasper T. Darling 

Delivered at 

Springfield, Illinois, on Memorial Day, 1912, 
Under auspices of the G. A. R. 




'And yoxx shall Know the trvith, 
and the truth shaU maKe yovi free. 



Address by J. T. Darling 



Comrade Chairman, Soldiers of Abra- 
ham Lincoln, Ladies of Associate Or- 
ganizations and Fellow Citizens of 
Illinois: 

There is no place more sacred, where 
lovers of liberty turn their gaze or 
wend their way, than is this shrine 
around which we have assembled. 

He, who slumbers here, bore the 
cross of civilization to its loftiest height 
and there consecrated it with his own 
life's blood. 

The lessons taught by Abraham Lin- 
coln, and the sublime example of those 
who sustained him throughout the 
years, will endure as long as the spirit 
of free government endures. 

Abraham Lincoln regarded man as 
the noblest gift of an immortal crea- 
tion, and his life teaches us that jus- 
tice, integrity and mercy should mark 
his every deed. 

It was his resolve to live only in the 
sunlit zone of absolute truth; he ab- 
horred the darkness, and he refused to 
walk in the twilight of questionable 
things. 

His wisdom, his far-seeing vision and 
his great integrity enabled him to ad- 
vance even to the vanguard among the 
world's foremost leaders, doing his duty 
as God had given him to see it. 

He was elected to the presidency of 
the United States; but long before he 
was to take the oath of ofRce and 
assume the reins of power, disintegra- 
tion of the republic had already begun. 

AM Lost Without the Union. 

Lincoln knew, as did others, without 
the Union all was lost, and that, to 
save it, he must receive the approval 
and support of all who believed in the 
principles of a people's government. 

He realized that no progress could be 
made without encountering grave diffi- 
culties at every step. 

He placed his heart close to the peo- 
ple; he held the confidence of all alike 
— those who agreed with him and those 
who disagreed. 

He succeeded; he solved great prob- 
lems; he became a mighty power, be- 
cause the torch that guided his foot- 
steps and lighted his way was the 
torch of everlasting truth. 

He became the cross-bearer of his 
people; he became the object of their 
deepest love. 

Abraham Lincoln, whose buckler was 
of righteousness, became the master 



builder of the ages. His workmen were 
"The Boys in Blue." 

The wisdom of his soul conceived, 
the fearlessness of his heart prepared 
the way, and the fidelity of his hand 
pointed the course by which, under the 
genius of his brave leaders and the 
heroism of his vast armies, this re- 
public was saved from the drawn 
sword, uplifted and resolved to strike 
it down. 

He took a land whose skies were 
dark with human bondage; he left it 
a nation blessed with liberty and 
peace. 

With all his masterful strength he 
grasped the flag as it was falling prone 
and powerless upon the earth. 

He gazed upon it; he saw its stars 
growing dim, its stripes tattered, its 
blue field torn. He saw vengeful hands 
rending it in twain. 

He unfurled it; he held it fast; he 
lifted it toward the sky. 

Only darkness met his gaze. 

He stretched his strong arms higher, 
holding it far above. It pierced the 
clouds. He saw them part. He beheld 
a burst of sunlight; then a traitor's 
blow, and his brave eyes closed for- 
ever. 

Set Millions Free By Pen-Stroke. 

But on high, and written all over its 
immortal folds, Justice, dipping her pen 
in his out-pouring blood, wrote, in 
letters that will never fade, Liberty- 
Lincoln. 

My fellow countrymen, it is well that 
we assemble here. It is well that we 
recall these memories, that we may 
receive new inspiration thereby. 

Almost a century has sped away 
since the Liberty Bell tolled for the 
last of "the fathers." And bye and bye, 
as the plumes nod and the hearse 
moves slow, the last survivor of those 
great armies, whose tread once shook 
the earth, will have crossed to the 
other side. 

Then other generations will come 
here and gaze at this monument which 
must ever remain, not only as a proud 
memorial to Abraham Lincoln, but also 
as an immortal tribute to liberty's 
triumph over the grave. 

These scenes represented here will 
endure to tell of the days when the 
bitter cup was pressed to the Nation's 
lips— when it was drained to the last 
dregs — when bleeding hearts looked up 



to God crying aloud, even as did Rachel 
of old, "How long! Oh, Lord, how 
long!" 

When all discord shall have ceased 
— when the last faint echoes can 
be heard only in the far distance — then 
the eyes of all mankind will look this 
way, and prayers will go up to God in 
thanksgiving and praise that He gave 
to the world an Abraham Lincoln and 
the loyal hosts who rallied and toiled, 
who marched and fought, who suffered 
and died that this republic might be- 
come free and her flag be made stain- 
less. 

It matters not how humble the pari 
taken by any one of us who partici- 
pated in those dark years when Abra- 
ham Lincoln stood forth the most 
heroic figure, we all can look back 
and glance over the field in proud con- 
templation. 

The statesmanship of Mr. Lincoln, 
the genius of Grant, the heroism of 
Thomas and of Sherman, the dash and 
daring of Sheridan, of Logan and the 
legions who gathered about them dur- 
ing those mighty years, cannot be well 
and worthily considered unless we con- 
template some of the difficulties en- 
countered at the beginning — difficulties 
which seemed almost impossible to 
overcome. 

The president who last preceded Mr. 
Lincoln was James Buchanan — a man 
who was completely warped to the will 
of the then dominant south. 

The "Dred Scott" Decree. 

Immediately following the inaugura- 
tion of Mr. Buchanan, Chief Justice 
Taney of the supreme court handed 
down what is historically known as the 
"Dred Scott" decree — a decree uphold- 
ing the right of ownership wherever 
the master might see fit to take his 
slaves. 

This decree showed plainly that the 
leaders of that institution had reached 
and polluted the fountain of federal 
justice. 

Mr. Lincoln characterized that decree 
as iniquitous. He saw its far reaching 
effect. He realized, unless that decree 
should be nullified, slavery would ex- 
pand and grow, and, at last, govern the 
whole Nation — north as well as south. 

The slave powers resolved that the 
"Taney Decree" must stand. 

Their bolder advocates said that sla- 
very was a "divine institution" and 
that it must have the right of "eminent 
domain." 

Mr. Lincoln said he would preserve 
the Union with or without slavery; 
that, if slavery was to endure, the in- 
stitution must be confined to its legiti- 
mate domain. 

The slave powers said, "No! Before 
we will submit to such dictation we 
will destroy the Union." 



And so the wrath of slavery, like a 
slumbering volcano, was destined to 
break forth and envelop this fair land 
in the raging furies of civil war. 

The great people of the north were 
loath to believe; they could not under- 
stand why, in the midst of such pros- 
perity — such blessings of good govern- 
ment, any portion of the people should 
desire to break it up; but, while the 
industrial and law-abiding people of 
the north were bending all their efforts 
in the paths of peace and good will, 
developing their lands and manufac- 
tories through the energy of well-paid 
toil, those resolved to destroy the Union 
went on unchecked with their insidious 
work. 

South Well Prepared For War. 

During the four years of the Buch- 
anan subserviency to slave-power rule, 
a majority of his cabinet, being mem- 
bers of the cabal, were preparing for 
war. Ships, commanded by slavery - 
sympathizers, were sent to southern 
ports ready to be surrendered at the 
opportune time. 

Military supplies, arms and all mu- 
nitions of war were sent south, and the 
same may be said of the treasury; 
southern vaults became storehouses of 
silver and gold. 

Such were the conditions confronting 
the north when Mr. Lincoln was elected 
to lead the Nation. 

But it yet lacked four months before 
the date of his inauguration — four 
months during which time the conspir- 
ators completed their plans for the 
breaking up of the Union' — four months, 
when they were to strike the deadly 
blow. 

It is well — it is imperative — that we 
review these things, not to engender 
discord, not to disturb harmony, but to 
preserve and protect the truth. 

The good book says "And you shall 
know the truth, and the truth shall 
make you free." 

In accordance with those teachings, 
and in the spirit of him who said, 
"With malice toward none; with 
charity for all, with firmness for the 
right as God gives us to see the right," 
let us, standing before this majestic 
monument builded to his name, these 
heroic figures — all testifying, in silent 
eloquence, to the story of the great and 
immortal past — let us, in this presence, 
hearken back, that we may hear some 
of the things which he heard, that we 
may feel some of the emotions that 
struggled at his heartstrings and 
wrenched his soul with pain. 

Lincoln's Farewell Words in Springfield 

On the 11th day of February, fifty- 
one years ago, with his family about 
him, Mr. Lincoln began his journey to 
the east. 

A large multitude of his neighbors 



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and friend's, from far and near, assem- 
bled to say farewell. 

His words on that day are familiar 
to you all; I will repeat but one or 
two paragraphs. 

His lieart was heavy; his mind was 
burdened with anxiety and care. 

You will recall how he said. "No 
one, not in my position, can realize the 
sadness I feel at this parting. 

"I go to assume a task more difficult 
that that which has devolved upon any 
other man since the days of Washing- 
ton." 

O, "the task" — "the task" of which he 
so anxiously spoke! 

Looking down the long vista could 
he see a vast stage strewn with the 
wreck of war's desolation? 

Could he see winding rivers run- 
ning red — fair fields torn and trembling 
— silent forms and pale faces — trick- 
ling pools of crimson everywhere — the 
price — the penalty? 

Continuing, he said: "I hope you, my 
friends, will all pray that I may receive 
Divine assistance, without which I can- 
not succeed, but with which success is 
certain." 

And did he catch a vision — a gleam 
of light beyond ? And could he read 
those immortal words set to the music 
of destiny? 

"Lift up your eyes, desponding free- 
men, 

Fling to the winds your needless fears; 

He who unfurled your beauteous ban- 
ner 

Says it shall wave a thousand years. 

A thousand years, my own Columbia, 

'Tis the glad day so long foretold, 

'Tis the glad morn whose early twi- 
light 

Washington saw in times of old." 

He hurried to the east, reaching Phil- 
adelphia on the anniversary day of 
Washington's birth. 

Lincoln's Speech at Independence Hall. 

He stood before that historic hall, in 
whose tower the "Liberty Bell" rang 
out on that joyous July day, 1776, pro- 
claiming Freedom and America's Inde- 
pendence. 

With a vast audience gathered about 
him, Mr. Lincoln spoke. Among other 
words were these: 

"In my view of the present aspect of 
affairs, there is no need of bloodshed 
and war. There is no necessity for it. 
I am not in favor of such a course; and 
I may say in advance that there will 
be no bloodshed unless it is forced upon 
the government. The government will 
not use force, unless force is used 
against it. 

"I have said nothing but what I am 
willing to live by, and, if it be the 
pleasure of the Almighty God, to 
die by." 



Do we ever pause and ask the reason 
why Mr. Lincoln spoke so seriously 
about war and bloodshed, and, possibly, 
his own death, that day? 

Do we ask ourselves wiiy such 
ghostly visions rose up before him? 

Let us reflect for a mioment. Let us 
hearken to what he heard. 

Jefferson Davis' Words at Stevenson. 

Another man was journeying to an- 
other metropolis — a hastily prepared 
seat of government. 

Passing southward from city to city, 
from hamlet to hamlet, he spoke at 
many places. 

At Stevenson, Ala., he said: 

"Your border states will gladly come 
into the Southern Confederacy within 
sixty days, as we will be their only 
friends. England will recognize us, and 
a glorious future is before us. The 
grass will grow in northern cities 
where pavements have been worn 
off by the tread of commerce. We will 
carry war where it is easy to advance — 
where food for the sword and torch 
await our armies in densely populated 
cities." 

These declarations were from the 
lips of Jefferson Davis. 

"We will carry war where food for 
the sword and torch await our armies 
in densely populated cities." 

Can mortal man contemplate the 
emotions which were tearing the heart- 
strings of Abraham Lincoln that day? 

"Food for the sword" meant human 
flesh and blood. 

"Food for the torch" meant homes 
burning, hearthstones laid waste. 

Davis' Words Burn Lincoln's Soul. 

These declarations by Davis were 
but three days old; they were freshly 
stamped on the mind of Lincoln. They 
were burning deep into his soul. 

Then — then — he was enabled to see 
how deadly the storm, ready to leap 
into battle flames at the touch of a 
single hand. 

Like a dream of horror, visions of 
death and desolation rose up before 
him. He knew they were well pre- 
pared. Though dark the hour, his 
courage wavered not. 

Mr. Lincoln arrived in Washington 
several days in advance of the inaugur- 
ation. During that time he listened to 
some of the utterances by retiring 
senators — ^those who were resolved to 
precipitate war. 

To me it has always been a cause of 
great wonderment how Mr. Lincoln 
could maintain so calm a spirit in the 
face of all the challenges hurled against 
the government then tottering to its 
fall. 

Challenge of Southern Senators. 
From the senate, during its expiring 



days, he heard many warlike declara- 
tions, among them these words: 

"Your flag has been insulted; redress 
it if you dare! You have submitted to 
it for two months and you will submit 
forever. You tell us you will keep 
us in the Union. Try the experiment — 
try the experiment." This was from 
Senator Wigfall of Texas. 

Iverson of Georgia, in a burst of pas- 
sion, exclaimed: "We will welcome you 
with bloody hands to hospitable 
graves." 

Through it all Mr. Lincoln remained 
calm, unimpassioned, yet resolute. 

He had a singleness of purpose in 
view — he must save the Union. 

By a fair and just obedience to the 
law, as laid down by "the fathers," Mr. 
Lincoln saw in this government the 
hope of humanity — the light of the 
world. 

March 4th was at hand; it found 
him ready for the great and heroic 
task that lay before him. 

It must be remembered that Wash- 
ington, in those days, was the pivotal 
point from which all schemes for de- 
stroying the Union sprang. 

Lincoln's Great Hour at Hand. 

The alert mind of Mr. Lincoln at 
once came to his aid. 

He looked around; he saw enemies 
on every hand. He listened; only 
threats greeted his ears. 

He gazed southward; he saw only 
dark clouds; he heard the rumbling of 
a storm almost at hand. 

He saw men in uniform — trusted men 
— men who had been educated at the 
expense of the government — men who 
had taken a solemn oath that they 
would defend that government from 
all enemies, domestic as well as for- 
eign — he saw them turn away without 
even the formality of a resignation, 
deserting the flag under which they 
had fought, forgetting oath, honor and 
renown earned under the Stars and 
Stripes. 

He saw them going toward the south. 

The great hour was at hand when he 
was to take the oath — when he was to 
step upon the stage and assume the 
grave responsibilities. 

To be sure, it was the same oath 
taken by General Washington just sev- 
enty years before; but Washington was 
called upon to take that oath when the 
war clouds had cleared away — when 
battlefields were but memories. 

To be sure, fifteen American citi- 
zens, illustrious and renowned and 
noted for their loyalty and their devo- 
tion, had taken the same oath, but over 
none of them had hovered the spectral 
figure of impending war. 

Lincoln's Mind Turns Toward Davia 

Mr. Lincoln was to take the same 



oath that Jefferson Davis would have 
been required to take had he suc- 
ceeded to the presidency in the years 
before; for he had contended with all 
his power for the coveted prize. 

Disappointed in his great ambition, 
he had resolved to disrupt the Union 
that he might become the ruler of an 
empire — an empire where "cotton 
should be king" — and whose fields, 
stretching away from the Rockies to 
the sea, must forever echo with clank- 
ing chains. 

And this was the man — Jefferson 
Davis — with a few others, whose war- 
declaring words were still ringing in 
in his ears, toward whom Mr. Lincoln's 
mind turned that day. 

Without wavering he stepped upon 
the stage ready to grasp the reins of 
government. Without fear or faltering, 
he clearly defined his views of the con- 
stitution and the sacredness of the 
oath he was about to take. 

As his deeply impressive address 
drew to its close, he said: 

Lincoln's First Inaugural Address. 

"My countrymen, one and all, think 
calmly and well upon this whole sub- 
ject. Nothing valuable can be lost by 
taking time. 

"Intelligence, patriotism (mark you, 
my friends, he said, "patriotism", re- 
member the significance of that word 
in this great appeal.) Patriotism, 
Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him 
who has never yet forsaken this favored 
land, are still competent to adjust, in 
the best way, all our present diffi- 
culties. 

"In your hands, my dissatisfied fel- 
low-countrymen, not in mine, is the 
momentous issue of civil war. The 
government will not assail you. You 
can have no confiict without being 
yourselves the aggressors. You have 
no oath registered in heaven to destroy 
the govern/ment, while I shall have the 
mtost solemn one to 'preserve, protect 
and defend it.' 

"I am loath to close. We are not 
enemies, but friends. We must not be 
enemies. Though passion may have 
strained, it must not break our bonds 
of affection. The mystic chords of 
memory, stretching from every battle- 
field and patriot grave to every 
living heart and hearthstone all over 
this broad land, will yet swell the 
chorus of the Union, when again 
touched, as surely they will be, by the 
better angels of our nature." 

The South Heeds Not Lincoln. 

Were sublimer words ever spoken 
since the days of the Nazarene? 

Were more Christian-like sentiments 
ever uttered since the Son of God 
walked the earth? 

Like a passionate lover Abraham 



Lincoln looked longingly toward the 
south. 

In meekness he spoke; in humility 
and sincerity he appealed; and yet, on 
that momentous day, he rose up in the 
might of his majestic power, a verita- 
ble tribune of strength — a herald of 
right and a teacher of eternal justice. 

And the militant south, listening, 
heard; looking, beheld; but she heeded 
not; she was prepared; she craved 
war. 

Jefferson Davis had resolved to ride 
on the crest of the waves and direct 
the storm. 

Lincoln's the Master Brain. 

Thus it was decreed that the master- 
brain of Abraham Lincoln must devise 
the means, and that the fortitude and 
fidelity of his armies must forge new 
bonds, bearing them onward, yet on- 
ward, until, at last, they should reach 
around a solid union of States, binding 
all into one Nation, firm and in- 
destructible forever. 

But, O, the cost! The cost! Only 
those who saw and suffered can ever 
know. 

"What anvils rang, what hammers 

beat, 
In what a forge and what a heat, 
Were shaped the anchors of thy hope." 

None but those who heard the 
trumpet-calls, who gathered around the 
watch-fires, who "read a fiery gospel 
writ in burnished rows of steel," who 
gazed upon the vintage trampled out 
"where the grapes of wrath were 
stored" — they, and they alone, were 
permitted to know. 

Twice a thousand fields echoed from 
the storms of war. Twice a thousand 
fields wrote realism into the poet- 
lines: 

"The rock-ribbed ledges drip with a 

horror of blood, 
And Echo there, whatever is asked her, 

answers: 'Death!'" 

What 'anchors of hope' were pound- 
ed out anew at Donelson! 

"In what a forge and what a heat" 
was Shiloh! 

And what of Antietam? 

She stood trembling and "dripping 
with a horror of blood." 

And Fi-edericksburg! What message 
could she give? 

Her fire-swept fields, red with gore, 
were lost to fame. 

"What anvils rang, what hammers 
beat" against the battlements at Vicks- 
burg, until victory came and the Mis- 
sissippi flowed un vexed to the sea! 

Aad Gettysburg, great in her day o(f 
glory! Gettysburg — the high tribunal 
of the civil war. 

God was there. "He was sifting out 



the hearts of men before his judgment 
seat." 

O, Gettysburg! Against thy brave 
heights rebellion surged, and broke in 
bloody foam, sank back, and faded 
from Liberty's soil forever. 

And then from the mountain-tops of 
Lookout and Kenesaw there came a 
trumpet-peal, saying, "Come; Come" — 
we have unlocked the gateway; 
let us go onward — fighting onward — in 
triumph to the end. 

The Wilderness and Cold Harbor! 
Ah, my friends, comrades, countrymen, 
how soon will the world forget the holo- 
causts of those fields — how the help- 
less were devoured amid the furies of 
the fiery storm — how Liberty shrieked: 
Spare us, God of Mercy! Spare us! 
W^e need no more such costly teaehing. 

The Hand of God Intervenes. 

But, at last, a power, greater than 
man's power, stronger than bone and 
sinew and fiesh and blood — a power 
mightier than vengeful hands strug- 
gling to tear Freedom's fiag in twain — 
such a power intervened. 

It was the power of Almighty God. 

"He loosed the fateful lightning of His 

terrible swift sword: 
His truth was marching on." 

And then there rose up before the 
eyes of man the immortal words of 
Addison: 

"Is there not some chosen curse. 
Some hidden thunder in the stores of 

Heaven, 
Red with uncommon wrath, to blast the 

man. 
Who owes his greatness to his coun try's 

ruin?" 

Their sword was defeated, their 
cause dethroned, while Liberty lived 
to spread her blessings over the earth. 

But, O! "The vintage— the vintage" 
— as "the rock-ribbed ledges," stretch- 
ing away from the mountains to the 
sea, all the while were dripping — 
dripping — "dripping with the horror of 
blood, and Echo there, whatever was 
asked her, answered: 'Death!'" 

"Lest we forget" — "Lest we forget." 

Amid the gloom there came a voice, 
plain, yet plaintive; sad, and yet 
so sweet — it arose from a million homes 
as the mantle of night hung low: 

"We shall meet, but we shall miss him, 
There will be one vacant chair; 

We shall linger to caress him. 

While we breathe our evening prayer." 

The Cost in Lives. 

A half million patriot lives paid the 
price — they went dowm into "the valle3' 
of the shadow," paying in full the vi- 
carious atonement. 

A half million — the flower of Ameri- 



can manhood — suffered tbe full penalty 
of slavery's sin. 

The Nation was bowed in grief, while 
Columbia, arrayed in sackcloth, re- 
peated the words of him who wrote: 
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, 
where is thy victory? The sting of 
death is sin. Death is swallowed up in 
victory." 

The sting of slavery cost a million 
graves, while living millions were made 
to mourn. 

But, thanks be to God, all the sor- 
rows, all the sufferings and all the 
travail, were "swallowed up in vic- 
tory" — a victory so complete, and yet, 
to the vanquished, so magnanimous, 
that the great world lifted her mighty 
voice in approval, while the conquerors 
laid their wreathed swords at the feet 
of a Nation they had saved, and beneath 
a flag purified of its blightening shame. 

For those who died on battlefields and 
upon the seas, for those who perished 
in prisons, who sank down on the long 
and wearisome march to rise no more, 
for those who laid down their burdens 
in hospitals of pain, and for those who 
have since answered the final sum- 
mons, v.e bow in prayerful meditation 
to-day. 

The Grand Army of the Republic. 

The hand on that dial which never 
turns back will soon point a half cen- 
tury since there came into existence a 
strong and steadfast organization — the 
Grand Army of the Republic; but, like 
all things of earth, its work must come 
to a close. Its deeds are almost done. 
Ere long its banners will be folded, 
dirges sung, and others will pronounce 
the benediction. 

Will its ennobling influences endure 
beyond the measure of its days? The 
future — and the futui-e alone — can tell 

"Eternal vigilance is the price of 
liberty." 

Will another generation forget those 
great and heroic words? 

Upon the wall of a dungeon at Delhi 
a shackled hand wrote: 

"When war is rife and strife is nigh — 
God and the soldier is all the cry. 
When war is o'er and peace requited 
God and the soldier are always slighted." 

The Need of Patriotism. 

Are the deeds of Abraham Lincoln to 
endure? Not unless patriotism, such 
as he taught, endures. 

You may post a million sentries 
around this tomb, protecting it from all 
harm: but, unless the oncoming gen- 
eration respects the virtues of the 
deeds of him who slumbers here, then 
this monument will, at last, be con- 
signed to a mournful immortality, pass- 
ing away even as did the pyramids of 



Egypt, the Parthenon and the Coliseum 
of Greece and Rome. 

Battleships — the power of the deep — 
may plow the trackless seas, command- 
ing the respect of the world; but un- 
less patriotism permeates the heart 
and pulsates through the arteries of 
our body politic, then this nation will 
sink down into final decay. 

Indifference!, honest though it may 
be, is a poor staff to lean upon when 
danger lurks at the door. 

No enemy from without need be 
feared; but from the watch towers the 
sentries might well be on guard for in- 
sidious workings within. 

The mighty oak reai'S its majestic 
form, defying the floods and storms of 
centuries; and yet, when some insidi- 
ous power deposits a germ of poison 
in its heart, disintegration begins, and 
it goes on until the monarch of the 
woods falls by its own weight to the 
earth whence it sprang. 

Treasonable Utterances To- Day. 

During the past year many promi- 
nent men have assailed the virtue of 
the deeds which saved this republic 
from the storms of war. 

One of them — a leading pulpit orator 
— in the course of his speech, said: 

"I hold that the responsibility for 
the civil war, with all the blood and 
treasure that it cost, and all the deso- 
lation and ruin that it wrought, justly 
rests on Abraham Lincoln and his ad- 
visors." 

And again, in our capital city, before 
a large and vigorously applauding audi- 
ence, a distinguished statesman said: 

"I have well defined opinions as to the 
right of secession, and, at the risk of 
being thought treasonable, I do not hes- 
itate to say that the truth of history 
was with the south, and that the north 
has yet to vindicate her course in the 
days of 186 1." 

Whether declarations like these, pub- 
licly expressed by responsible men, 
represent a solid school, we cannot 
say; but let us not belittle such teach- 
ings — let us not close our eyes to the 
dangers lurking below. 

If, as the distinguished statesman 
said, "the north has yet to vindicate 
her course in the days of 1861," then an 
apology for that course is due to the 
.south, and it must come from the sealed 
lips of him who slumbers in this 
tomb. 

Only God Can Assail Lincoln's Deeds. 

God, and God alone, has the right to 
assail the virtue of Abraham Lincoln's 
deeds. At Gettysburg, this noble, God- 
fearing, liberty-loving man said: "Let 
us here highly resolve that these dead 
shall not have died in vain;" and from 
all over the north, and along two thou- 
sand miles of battle lines there arose a 
mighty "Amen." 



Four and forty years thereafter an- 
other assemblage stood upon the same 
spot where Mr. Lincoln spoke. The 
orator was of the "school" just referred 
to and he said: "Leave to the future 
historian the question as to who was 
right and who was» wrong on this field." 

Are not these teachings like the 
poison-germs planted in the heart of 
the giant oak? How long before the 
process of disintegration will begin? 

And such seed is being- sown broad- 
cast into the minds of millions whose 
hands rock cradles. 

There is an old axiom which says: 
"The hand that rocks the cradle rules 
the world." 

A million minds working in unison 
toward one great and mighty purpose 
can mould the destiny of this republic. 

The orators to whom I have referred 
are among the foremost teachers of a 
million whose hearts and ihands are 
rearing the future rulers of this repub- 
lic — rulers who will, after a little while, 
reach and stand upon pedestals of 
power. 

Need of Teaching True Patriotism. 

If this work, now well advanced, 
continues, (and it seems to be increas- 
ing with greater strength) and if true 
patriotism is not instilled into the re- 
ceptive mind of the younger genera- 
tions, then the time will surely come 
when a cloud will fall where now a 
halo gathers and glows around this 
tomb. 

Tibe very life of this republic rests 
upon the virtue of Abraham Lincoln's 
deeds. His works are as the foundation 
rock up>on which this structure of 
American liberty stands. 

If patriotism sleeps, or stands idly 
by, while that rock is being assailed, 
then another age will hear the crumb- 
ling of foundations— another age will 
cry out in anguish even as did the 
Prophets to Apostate Israel: "Look 
unto the rock whence ye are hewn!" 

To you — men and women of America 
— to you I appeal. Go forth and teach 
true American patriotism — the patriot- 
ism of Washington and the Fathers— 
the patriotism of Lincoln, of Grant, of 
Thomas and of the legions who fought 
that liberty might live and that Old 
Glory might remain in the sky. 

With uplifted voices condemn these 
insidious teachings that would cloud 
the glory of Abraham Lincoln's deeds. 
Crush out this incipient, this acknowl- 
edged and boasted treason ere it 
springs forth to parade itself, flaunting 
its flag over the earth. 

These are the lessons for which I 
plead. 

As we go to our respective homes let 
us resolve anew that those who suffered 



and those who made the sacrifice shall 
not have suffered and sacrificed in vain. 

Tribute to the Union Dead. 

And of those who perished, and of 
those who have gone hence, let us, out 
of full hearts, continue to sing our 
anthems to their undying praise: 

Go to their graves, O, Columbia fair — 
Go to their graves and scatter there 
Sweet flow'rets of a thousand hues— 
Plow'rets that bloom in the matin dews; 
Scatter them— scatter them deep- 
Scatter them o'er where heroes sleep. 

Go forth where the far-flung prairies lie- 
Where, 'ntath the blue of a bending sky, 
THright roses beam, and beckon and say — 
Take of our bounties this beaut'ous day; 
Scatter them — scatter them deep — 
Scatter them o'er where heroes sleep. 

rjo to the hills where the laurel grows— 
Where soft winds sigh— where the 

tempest blows, 
Gather the choicest gifts of God 
That spring from the rich and rugged 
sod; 
Scatter them— scatter them deep- 
Scatter them o'er where heroes sleep. 

Go to the tomb where the chieftain lies, 
Where, carved in rock, of heroic days 
A story is told— of vict'ries won— 
Honors achieved— of duties well done. 

Then softly approach that spot pressed 

down. 
Where the stone lies low, the name 

"Unknown" — 
"Unknown" — unknown in the sight of 

God? 
He knoweth who sleeps beneath the sod- 

'Twas a mother's boy— a brave, loving 

lad, 
Wlio knew no glory save his nation's 

good; 
Earth's bosom holds him in sacred 

embrace. 
Nor time, nor storms, shall his glory 

efface. 

Entwine 'round the tomb and the lowly 

grave 
Blossomo of beauty for the true and 
brave: 
Scatter them — scatter them deep - 
Scatter them o'er where heroes sleep. 

In closing let us look forward with 
that hope which, as it 'has been said, 
"springs eternal in the human breast." 

A third of a century hence, when the 
last lingering survivor shall have 
crossed to the other side, if Gratitude 
speaks, she will say: 

All honor to our Nation's soldier dead. 

A half century hence, when the 
wealth and influence of this Republic 
shall have climbed higher and still 
higher, if Truth speaks, she will say: 

This never could have been 

Had not a!i Abraham Lincoln stood 

Firm as a rock while the battles raged — 

While the blood of patriots 

Poured out like falling rain. 



10 



A century hence, when the deathless 
deeds of our Nation's defenders shall 
be fully recognized — wihen the glory of 
this government shall have reached its 
highest tide— then, if Integrity speaks, 
she will say: 

This heritage was secured 
Through atoning blood 
Where freedom's pennon flew— 
Where bayonets flashed — 
Where batteries roared — 
Where the earth's torn bosom, 
Crimsoned in martyr's blood, 
Closed over the silent forms 
Of Liberty's dead, 

A thousand years hence, when a 
higher civilization shall have com'e— 
when God's hand shall have been made 
even more manifest, guiding thisi, his 
chosen people — may we not believe 
that a Nation-wide Patriotism will then 
speak and say: 

Had it :iot been 

For the heroism of those who wore the 

blue , ^ , 

In that great struggle between right and 

wrong — 
Had they not rallied and stood 
As walls of living fire 
Around the Stars and Stripes- 
Then, in those mighty days, 
Sovereign law would have been blotted 

out. 
And constitutional liberty would have 

perished 
And faded away like a dream of things 

that were — 
Like a dream lost in the vortex of time 

forever. 



Lincoln's Name Immortal. 

As long as nations live and republics 
endure, true patriotism will pay 
homage at this tomb. 

Abraham Lincoln! "Immortal name, 
That fairest stands among the sons of 
fame." 

The storms of centuries may sweep 
and surge around this memorial — this 
altar of patriotic love; the ravages of 
time may successfully assail these 
towering facades; but the virtue of his 
deeds will endure as long as beacon 
fires burn, making bright the portals of 
this Republic redeemed in martyrs' 
blood and dedicated to better days. 

These figures, typifying service and 
sacrifice; these statues, representing 
heroism and patriotism^ — all these m'ay 
perish and fall; but, so long as pulses 
throb to unselfish deeds — so long as the 
incense of truth burns on loyal hearth- 
stones, the record of those who rallied 
at Abraham Lincoln's call — who defied 
the furies of rebellion — who saluted 
death in the name of Liberty and Hu- 
manity — their record will endure, ever 
growing brighter and brighter, even 
as a liften constellation in the heaven 
of man's noblest memory, making clear 
the path up which all peoples of the 
earth shall come in God's appointed 
time. 



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